How to Apply

Prospective students who are interested in applying to Counselor Education programs should use this application process.

There are additional processes below for students who are returning to WSU for a second focus area or for licensure.


Admission as a Regular Student

1. Gain Admission to Graduate Study

Before you can be considered for admission into the WSU Counselor Education Department, you must first apply for admission to WSU's School of Graduate Studies.

School of Graduate Studies applications must be completed and submitted by Nov. 15 for the Winter Application Process and March 1 for the Spring Application Process.


2. Watch for an Email from the Counselor Education Department

Students will receive an email detailing next steps once the Counselor Education Department has been notified of the applicants' acceptance into Graduate Studies.


3. Gain Admission to the Counselor Education Program

After being admitted to the Graduate School, then you must complete an online application to be admitted into a Master’s program in Counselor Education.

Please be sure to use your StarID and password to log into the online application.


Part I: Online Application

The online application will ask you to:

  1. Upload a Current Resume: A synopsis of the applicant’s education, work history, leadership experience, scholarships, honors and awards, volunteer service activities, and other pertinent information.
  2. Provide Contact information for 2-5 Professional References: Once provided, an email will be automatically generated to your references with a rating form related to professional behaviors and competencies needed for the counseling profession.
  3. Upload a Personal Statement: All program applicants are required to write a personal statement explaining a rationale for interest in counseling and human services programs offered by the Counselor Education Department at Winona State University. Additionally, applicants are asked to write about any tentative post-degree plans they have for their Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling or Human Services Professional Masters degree. The personal statement is to be no more than three double-spaced, pages in length in 12-point font.
  4. Complete Statement of Understanding Form: To ensure that all program applicants are aware of their rights and responsibilities, a written Statement of Understanding Form is provided for the applicant’s careful review. Applicants will have an opportunity to agree to the Statement of Understanding Form in the online application form.

Part II: Campus Interview Experience

After your application is complete, your materials will be screened by department faculty and a determination will be made if you advance to the next stage of the screening process, which is a campus interview experience.

Only completed applications will be considered for the campus interview. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Either way, you will be notified via your WSU email that we will provide you, which you must activate with your StarID.

If you advance to the next stage of the process, you will be invited to an individual/group interview.

Counselor Education Department faculty has found that the best way to identify uniquely qualified candidates for admission into the department is through a process that engages applicants in a face-to-face interview experience.

During the interview experience, program applicants will:

  1. Meet department faculty/staff
  2. Meet other prospective students
  3. Participate in an interview experience with faculty
  4. Participate in a structured group interaction with other program applicants
  5. Receive information about the program and WSU
  6. Engage in question/answer about the WSU Counselor Education programs

Candidates who applied by December and are invited to the interview experience may select to attend the Campus Interview Experience in January or April. Candidates applying in the spring will be invited to the Campus Interview Experience held in April.

Successful candidates from both campus interview experiences will start their program of study in the Fall semester. All candidates will be notified via your WSU email address of the date, time and location of the interview experience.

If students are not in the United States at the time of the campus interview, they may be allowed to attend the screening virtually. Please call 507.457.5335 if you need these accommodations to attend screening.


Notification of Admission Decision

After a review of all application files and results from the Interview Experience, Counselor Education Department faculty will select only qualified candidates for admission into the department.

Notification of admission decisions will be sent to applicants via your WSU email address within three weeks of the completed Interview Experience.


Admission as a Returning Student

To be admitted to WSU's Counselor Education Department for a second focus area after completing a master's degree in Community Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, Professional Development, or Human Services Professional, you'll need to do the following:


1. Complete the Additional Major Form

Alert the School of Graduate Studies of your additional major by completing the Additional Major form.


2. Send Your Transcripts

If you completed additional coursework at another institution, please send your transcripts to WSU Admissions at admission@winona.edu or mail them to:

PO Box 5383
Winona, MN 55987-5838


3. Apply to the Counselor Education Department

Apply to the Counselor Education Department by emailing ceducation@winona.edu the following information:

  • Applicant’s name
  • Address
  • E-mail address
  • Phone number
  • Prior Degree Focus Area from WSU's Counselor Education Department
  • Date degree was awarded
  • Overall GPA at the time of graduation
  • A copy of your most recent WSU transcript

If you haven't graduated from a CACREP-accredited institution, syllabi from courses you completed may also be requested to determine the appropriate coursework needed.


4. Submit a Letter

Send a brief letter to ceducation@winona.edu describing:

  • why you're seeking a second focus area
  • your professional and/or work-related activities since your master’s degree was awarded
  • the proposed additional focus area and start date
  • any additional information you believe would be helpful to support your request

To be admitted to WSU's Counselor Education Department for licensure courses after you've completed a counseling master’s degree from another institution, you'll need to do the following:


1. Complete School of Graduate Studies Form

Please submit one of the following forms depending on your specific situation:


2. Send Your Transcripts

Please send your transcripts to WSU Admissions at admission@winona.edu or mail them to:

PO Box 5383
Winona, MN 55987-5838


3. Apply to the Counselor Education Department

Apply to the Counselor Education Department by emailing ceducation@winona.edu the following information:

  • Applicant’s name
  • Address
  • E-mail address
  • Phone number
  • Prior master’s degree from other institution
  • Date degree was awarded
  • Overall GPA at the time of graduation
  • A copy of your transcript of the master’s degree

4. Submit a Letter

Send a brief letter to ceducation@winona.edu describing:

  • why you're seeking a second focus area
  • your professional and/or work-related activities since your master’s degree was awarded
  • the proposed additional focus area and start date
  • any additional information you believe would be helpful to support your request
If admitted, the department chair will meet with you to recommend a course of study to meet licensure requirements. 

If you haven't graduated from a CACREP-accredited institution, syllabi from courses you completed will also be requested to determine the appropriate coursework needed.


CED Endorsement of Individuals Completing Licensure Courses

Upon successful completion of all requirements for licensure, the CED will provide you endorsement letters at your request.

Endorsement letters may be required for testing for professional licensure and/or other professional credentials.

Letters of endorsement may also be required for employment. It is the student's responsibility to determine the requirements for licensure or other professional credentials.